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|| Newsletter Archive ||
March 2005
Dear Partners in Ministry,
Early this morning I drove down a dusty road into the village of Dihibidung. Special Assignment - deliver a brand new, red Swift, single speed bicycle, complete with pump, tire repair kit, reflectors, and chain with lock! The recipient - Pastor Simon, an older man who has been pastoring this small work for several years. The delight was evident as he and his wife posed for pictures behind the red two wheeler, expressing their gratitude again and again. A family, who had heard about the need of these many pastors in rural African villages, gave money from the States to buy the bike and accessories ($105.00). Last month a church here in South Africa bought another pastor a bicycle. It may seem like a small thing for those of us who have so much, but for these servants of God who put hundreds of kilometers a year on their feet, a bicycle is a Cadillac. And what an absolute joy to come alongside and encourage the work of God in such a way.
This morning I also ventured onto a public school grounds and talked with the principal. He informed me that they have school assemblies twice a week and would like to have a Christian who could challenge the youth from the Bible. Friends - I know four public schools right now that are ASKING for preachers to bring the Bible to their students. There are scores of schools I have passed by in village after village that have similar needs and are desiring to have someone come. This open door will not be available forever. The winds of religious equality are blowing and will soon snuff out the light of the Gospel. Are there not any Bible college young men who can give their summer to such a ministry? Your summer is our winter, and school is in full session here. Come over into South Africa and help us!
Following the school and the bike trip, I made my way to Stinkwater to assist in a ministry of Letlehabile Baptist Church. Each Wednesday a very large pot of soup is prepared for needy children in a public school close to the church. A cart with two punctured wheels is pushed down the dusty road (I got to push the cart!) to a tree outside the school grounds. At the bell, 50 to 60 students come to eat. Some have money to help, but the soup is given to all present. As I scooped the last cup of hot, brown soup, the children were allowed to put their hands into the pot and scrape out all that remained. With smiles and giggles they cleaned the pot with their hands till none remained. Most American children would gag on the soup - let alone clean out the pot with their hands. These little ones can teach us much if we have the eyes and hearts to see.
In befriending Rashad, I was allowed to attend a Muslim mosque where they have a prayer service on Fridays. To my surprise, 95 men packed out the unfurnished but carpeted room. Where did all these men come from! In most of our village Baptist churches, the attendance on a typical Sunday is ladies and children. The men are as rare as spotting a black backed jackel. I was challenged with the dedication these men had because of their desire to earn, out of the requirement of duty, a good standing in eternity. How much greater should those of us who have been eternally redeemed show forth in our life’s walk a delightful dedication to God glorifying activity. “I delight to do Thy will”, should be our sincere motto. May we put our hands to the plow with joyful anticipation of a sure reward - to the praise of His glory!
April 2nd we will be hosting many African village pastors and their wives at our house for a time of fellowship and visioning for future ministry partnership. Please pray that God will be the focus and not our human planning and goals. We also are looking forward to a ministry visit from Cornerstone Baptist Church from Pine Island, Minnesota, along with six Pillsbury Baptist Bible College students who will actually be spending three days and three nights (sounds Biblical!) in the village of Opperman.
Please continue to pray for:
1. The ministry of evangelism to those in our area of Onderstepoort. We have contacted a graduate of Christ Baptist Seminary who is going to be with us April 2nd, is single, and speaks Spedi. He is considering helping us in the starting of a church.
2. Bethesda’s continuing ministry to orphaned children and their desire to assist churches in that area.
3. The two teams that will be with us before our furlough - Cornerstone Baptist and Prior Lake Baptist.
4. Meeting with area village pastors on April 2nd to further develop the direction of our ministry with them.
5. Furlough itinerary and preparations. We also need to have someone house-sit for us while we are in the States.
6. Our personal language development. Sarah and I both took a Tswana “test” this past week on our vocabulary and have a lot of work to do!
7. Those in need of the Saviour: Nomalady, Takesure, Patrick, Petros, Julius, James, Louisa, Rashad, Chief Kekana.
8. That the urgent would not rob us of doing the essential.
Praises:
1. Two bikes being given to village pastors for their ministry.
2. Chairs and tables provided by a member of Moregloed Baptist Church for the disabled ministry the Baptist church has in Dihibidung.
3. Kacee and her assistance to our family, to Bethesda in the school, and to the Hardings who take care of AIDS infected and affected little ones. Pray also as she learns to drive a stick shift on roads going the opposite as those in the States.
May God’s Word be the joy and rejoicing of your heart,
Serving the King in South Africa,
The Zaks
Kevin, Sarah, Benjamin, Nathanael, Caleb, Luke, Cortney, Jacob, and Josiah
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African Churches Rooted and Built up in Him. - Col. 2:6,7
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